Sleep nursing - doing weird things during sleep

logank622 · Jun 3, 2014

We all have stressful jobs. And...sometimes the stress carries over to our sleep. I can remember waking up in the middle of the night, wondering if I did this task or did I say that in report or did I tell the doctor that information. Admit it - we've all done something similar. So, what the weirdest nursing related event that woke you from sleep?

Not quite sleep nursing, but here's my story.

I started as a CNA in a nursing home about 15 years ago, and it was an unfamiliar experience for me - I was 19 and hadn't seen anything like it before. I remember one night, just a few days into the job and after a long shift, when I woke up groggy and needing to use the bathroom. Crap, I can't find my call light! It would probably take them forever to answer it anyway, they're so short on staff these days. Hang on, they forgot to put my side rails up. Is it safe for me to get out of bed? They'll get mad if I try to get out of bed and fall.

I stayed there holding my pee for about 5 minutes before I finally realized I was in bed at home and didn't need an aide to come take me to the bathroom.

catladyRN · Jun 4, 2014

I wake up after work frequently thinking I'm still at the hospital. I also hear call lights and heart monitor beeps in my sleep.

Justforuilovemyjob · Jun 22, 2014

I worked a double shift 3-11 and 11-7. I was so sleepy that I reached into my pocket to put gloves on in the bathroom... I died laughing cause I didn't need gloves it was just me. I needed to pee and I guess autopilot kicked in cause you need gloves on before you take someone to pee.

littlemango · Sep 19, 2014

Not me, but I was younger, my Mom (an LPN) was sleeping and she tried handing someone his/her "medications."

"Here are your medications."

"...Medications?"

"Yes, here, take it now."

She had her arm out, holding an imaginary medicine cup and everything. :roflmao: